LivingPolo.com

Celebrating 125 years since the formation of the original RMAS Polo Club and 5 years since its resurrection, under the management of Barbara Zingg, the HBL Heritage Polo Cup was played at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Round Ground over the weekend of 6th - 9th August.

Against a backdrop of New College and the Officers' Mess, and with Napoleon keeping a watchful eye on the day's events, the Round Ground at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst had recovered from the torrential rain of Saturday and conditions were good for what promised to be a day of entertainment for guests of the Habib Bank UK and EFG International, as well as the Academy Staff and young Officer Cadets.

Guests were welcomed onto the Round Ground from noon and the day's events began with a rousing display from the Band and Bugles of the Rifles before the play-offs for 3rd to 6th places.

From the matches played on Saturday, the line up saw the USA Destination of Polo Virginia take on Luxembourg with an agreement to a draw for equal 5th place in the final minutes of the match. HBL Pakistan, the 3rd winner from Saturday's matches, were next on against EIM Helvetia, and a final score of 7 – 5½ saw Helvetia take 3rd place, with HBL Pakistan in 4th.

A brief interlude for a delicious lunch in the marquees was followed by the RMAS Staff College Drag Hunt. The hounds, which are based in Camberley, were led on a tour of the ground by Huntsman Mark Beckett together with Corporal of Horse Osborne and Lance Bombardier Garrett before inviting guests to get up close and hands on with the horses and hounds.

The Ladies' Exhibition Match then took centre stage. This event is unique in the Polo world and draws on the beauty and elegance of the early days of Ladies' Polo at the beginning of the 20th Century. Barbara Zingg, founder of Heritage Polo and organiser of the weekend's events, designed the stunning costumes worn by the Ladies' teams and they were expertly tailored by Upender Mehra, owner of Liberty Freedom who produces limited edition garments especially for the Heritage Polo event. Barbara herself, dressed in an elegant black and gold brocade jacket, side-saddle habit and top hat umpired the game riding side saddle. The match comprised 3 chukkas of 5 minutes each. It was at this point that commentator Simon Ledger claimed to be having problems with his radio mic and insisted on putting his chair on top of his table – but it was clear to all that he was just there for a better view of these ambassadors of Ladies' Polo.

Dawn Attkins, creator and designer of Vanilla Rose bespoke handbags with a vintage flair, sponsored the 4-nations team, comprising representatives from Switzerland, Pakistan, USA and UAE, and the English Ladies were sponsored by Liberty Freedom.

Starting with a ½ goal handicap for the 4-Nations Vanilla Rose team, play got off to an exciting start. Alice Gipps showed real flair in her play, setting the ball up so team-mate and 1-goal player Aurora Eastwood could score the first goal. Alice then took the ball down the length of the ground and scored a second goal from an almost impossible angle. Superb pick-ups from Cariane Hoffie and Alison Robbins of the Four Nations team allowed Irene Graeff to make a great strike. Eastwood then took up the ball and tried very hard to get a goal, but the bell brought the 2nd chukka to an end.

Tight play along the boards was cleared by Graeff but picked up by Charlotte Christodoulou who scored again for the Liberty Freedom team and a goal in the final minutes of the final chukka left a score of Liberty Freedom 3 - Vanilla Rose 2½. This elegant play of the ladies brought a touch of style to the rough and tumble of Polo.

The Shetland Pony Club presentations took place next. The ponies, courtesy of the Shetland Pony Club based on Stoke D'Abernon, Cobham, Surrey, were on show throughout the day. Ably managed by their grooms, the younger guests were able to tend to and lead the ponies around the grounds. Shetland ponies are the smallest of al the native breeds in the UK, standing at between 35-40 inches high.

Sword Guards Gunner Brown and Lance Bombardier Conroy of the Kings' Troop Royal Horse Artillery then escorted the 141 Dubai Falcons and the EFG International British Army Officers Polo Teams onto the grounds. With a collective tally of 15 goal players between them, this was going to be a match to watch. So fast paced was the play and enjoyment from the marquees that at times it was hard to distinguish between corks popping and mallet on ball.

Captained by Major Matt Eyre-Brook, the British Army Officers team played in the white luxury twill shirt that has recently become their Polo playing uniform. The Dubai team sported green striped shirts, all courtesy of TM Lewin, who since 2006 have been the official shirt and tie sponsors of Heritage Polo.

Having served in Hohne in Germany, where he became a member of the Rhine Army Polo Association, Major E-B is currently the Adjutant of Cambridge University Officer Training Corps and is the joint Secretary of the Army Polo Association. 5-goaler Gaston Devrient is coach to the British Army Officers' team and was unrecognisable at today's event with his head shaven. The reason for the loss of locks was to raise money for a children's charity – 15,000GBP! When pressed to predict the outcome of the final, Gaston Devrient’s positive attitude was reflected in his response: “We’re definitely not going to lose – they’ll have to beat us.” Major Robert Mehm (1-goaler) and Officer Cadet Doug White provided invaluable support to the team. Doug White has had an exceptional year: voted best player in 2010 he will be will be upgraded at the end of the season.

The 141 Dubai Falcons team is a combination of players from the Potomac (141 Polo team) and Desert Palm (Dubai Falcons) Polo Clubs. Represented by patron Saeed Bin Drai and his Polo Manager Nico Petracchi the Dubai Falcons won this year's prestigious Cartier Polo World Cup on snow in St Morritz. The Potomac Club, established in 1956, is the oldest club in the Washington DC area and was represented by Omid Rajaei and Polo Team Manager Charlie Muldoon, who have played together and won multiple regional tournaments at the 8 and 12 goal level.

Starting with a half goal handicap for the British Army Officers, from the outset, this was to be a game of physical contact and skilful manoeuvres – classic play from both teams, showing great anticipation and team awareness. Early action saw Matt E-B gracefully slide from his saddle, but he was soon back on form, making his physical presence felt as he thundered down the ground edging opponents out of the way. A penalty 60 yarder saw Charlie Muldoon with his shirt sleeves rolled up strike wide of the mark. A hit in from Devrient was taken up by E-B, backed by Petracchi and taken up by Saeed before being recovered by E-B, and picked up by Devrient who found the Number 1 and allowed Doug White to score a fantastic goal. And now the Army was on the charge, with Doug White finding the flags again and bringing the score to 2½ – 0.

Muldoon made a spectacular high flyer, right into the American team who were sitting watching the match. Then a series of well targeted passes saw Petracchi in a position to score, but he hit just wide of the mark as the bell rang for the end of the first chukka.

The second chukka saw Devrient make the play and while Muldoon tried hard to save the goal E-B found the ball and his mark and the score moved to 3½ – 0. However, with seconds to go before the end of the second chukka, clever work from the Dubai team saw Petracchi keep the ball running and a goal was scored. Devrient cleverly scooped the ball and E-B held fast into his saddle, just saving himself from having to pay up a second bottle of champagne to Simon Ledger! Some brilliant play from both teams ended in frustration as wide shots denied both teams of further goals before half time.

With the third chukka of a game often establishing who will eventually come out on top, a hit in for Dubai started the second half. Then, scooping it up, Devrient lifted the ball high and sent it half way down the ground. First picked up by E-B, it was Mehm who found the flags and scored.

A goal for Dubai was followed by a pass from Devrient to E-B, who kept it moving. It was picked up by Mehm who again took the shot and scored. A further two goals for Dubai gave hope that they might still have a chance of a come-back, one coming from Charlie Muldoon who set up a penalty hit from 40 yards, lifted the ball high and scored a perfect goal: 5½ – 4
Great backhanders and ball control from Devrient, bumping between Mehm and Petracchi, and the concentration and skill of the Umpires Matthew Hind and Tomas Iriarte (who had had a very long day), and an infringed and disallowed goal from E-B all made for exciting viewing.

A restart at the bottom end of the ground saw start of the last chukka (the 15th of the day). Devrient marshalled his troops from the far side but after a degree of back and forth play between the two teams,Bin Drai picked up well and put control back into the hands of the Dubai team. A fantastic run the length of the ground saw Petracchi take it all the way and score, bringing the match to a nail-biting 5½ – 5.

With just half a goal in it, bumping and boring saw E-B and Petracchi battling it out. Muldoon took the lead, but White moved in and took it up on the nearside. Clever play by the British Army Officers caused ructions in front of the goal, resulting in a penalty 60 yarder.
Devrient took aim and sent the ball hurtling through the goal, nearly taking out a photographer on the far side!

And that clinched it for the Army Officers: 6½ – 5; a perfect ending to a weekend to celebrate Heritage Polo.